Whenever the city council finds that the time limits provided by the subdivision map act or hardship to a particular developer will be involved in the processing of a parcel map, because of the schedule of meetings of the planning commission, or the failure of the planning commission to attain a quorum, then the city council may exercise original jurisdiction over such tentative or final parcel maps, and in every manner act and process such tentative and final parcel map in the place and stead of the planning commission, in which case the decision of the city council shall be final. (1960 Code)